Howland this week asked former UCLA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a three-time All-American and three-time national champion with the Bruins, to speak to his highly talented but terribly underperforming club.

UCLA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recently spoke to members of the current Bruin team. (AP Photo)

Abdul-Jabbar, known as Lew Alcindor during his college days, left an impression as big as his 7-foot-2 frame during his 10-minute speech Monday.

“That was a great experience to speak to a legend not only in the game of basketball but in UCLA history,” freshman guard/forward Kyle Anderson told reporters. “It just goes to show the legacy here at UCLA and the great players who came through here. Just his presence just humbles us and goes to show what we have to go out there and play for. We have to keep the tradition going and play our hardest every time we put the UCLA across our chest.”

The Bruins, who opened the season ranked No. 11, have dropped out of the rankings at 7-3 and have seen big man Josh Smith and guard Tyler Lamb quit the team.

“Here’s a guy that is the greatest player ever, the leading scorer in the history of the league,” Howland said. “He won nine championships between college and the pros, and for him to talk about how important the overall experience is and giving back to the communities when you go home. Take things that you learn in college and help better your own communities where you are from. Those were all important messages.”